As a psychoanalyst, I often hear people berate themselves for their perceived laziness. They add a dose of guilt to their behavior, as if somehow, this could be helpful in creating change.  “If I weren’t so lazy, I’d” … exercise, meditate, learn Italian, and stop procrastinating…!

But all-encompassing negative labels – “lazy”, “no willpower”, “unmotivated” – can make us wonder – why don’t we just do what we proclaim to want to do?  Like the ad that says, “Just Do It”, why can’t we, in effect, just apply that chilly logic to our lives? Beyond just labelling ourselves as “looking for excuses” or “weak-willed and whiny”, we can find two main reasons for the lazy-guilty cycle.

Reason 1. The Reality Principle.

The painful truth is; we can’t all truly do what we aim to do in this life. Take running marathons. I could say that “laziness” prevents me from training. I would love to learn Italian, and again, could complain that I am just too unmotivated to get started.

But those are oversimplifications, and don’t help me to understand what’s genuinely preventing me from taking action.

I don’t run marathons because my knees can’t take it.  I don’t take time to learn Italian because I have no need, honestly, to speak it. When one scratches the surface, our reasons for not engaging in an activity that we proclaim we “should” do touch on what is called the “Reality Principle” (borrowed from Freud). Unconsciously, we understand that our limitations (“reality”) do not make our aspirations realistic goals. Grasping our limitations can be more painful than telling ourselves that “laziness” keeps us from fulfilling our potential. Keeping the discourse around laziness maintains the illusion that these things are actually attainable – that we are not limited beings with limited resources- if only we could get our acts together.

However, we are also capable of great change and growth. Many people overcome bad knees, many people find a way to move past obstacles to realize their dreams. This leads us to the second cause of so-called laziness…

Reason 2. Anxiety.

The complaints that one absolutely can’t do something raises the proverbial red flag. The old adage “thou dost protest too much” applies… something else is going on.

Sometimes the goal isn’t so exceptional. Many people want simply to turn off the TV, or the computer, and get to bed on time. Danielle complained, “I have no willpower at all – I get sucked into the screen, and when I look up, it’s 3AM.” Why would something so seemingly simple be so difficult, and what strange logic underlies this repetitive self-sabotage?

Looking beyond “laziness” as an explanation, why is it so hard to change certain behaviors?  What does staying up in front of a computer have in common with overeating, for example?

Stopping both behaviors requires a separation. The screen is a companionable, soothing presence – until it’s time to press a switch, and find yourself alone. Food too is a presence, reminiscent of a time when love and caring, and the arms that held us, were all of a piece. When the food on our plate is gone, or when it’s time to pick yourself up and go to bed, there can be a prick of anxiety – it’s time to move on to the next thing in our lives. This isn’t necessarily easy to do. Lying in bed in the dark, waiting for sleep, or no longer eating, but going back to work…  can sometimes be unbearable.

Loss and “Laziness” are entwined.

Excuses and guilt are not laziness, but a way of avoiding loss. This realization can bring relief, and empowerment.

For one thing, goals and dreams can be modified, if they’re adapted to reality.

Danielle recognized that the hardest part of her evening was the moment she had to switch off the computer, and confront the silence in her home. This moment of aloneness led her to think more about her life, and issues that were unsatisfying in her marriage, and her work. Underlying the numbing effect of the screen was a longing for more meaningful connection with her husband, and dissatisfaction with a job not suited to her abilities. When these started to become addressed in therapy, getting herself to bed became less daunting.

The laziness-guilt cycle can conceal feelings of loss. It’s a distraction from issues that require more thought, and oftentimes more emotional upset and pain. However, the cycle is also a clue that there is potential for real growth and change, if you are willing to not take the explanation of “laziness” at face value. It’s an invitation to find out more about your true goals and desires. Thankfully, there are a multitude of creative and realistic means to change, beyond the tagline “Just Do It”.

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Raise your hand if you worry about getting dementia. Yeah, me, too. And we’re not alone.

A recent U.K. study says more people are scared of getting neurological disorders like dementia than cancer (45% vs. 35%). Apparently, the people polled would rather endure physical pain and die quicker than have a condition like dementia. There’s a happy thought, huh?

As we baby boomers age, however, the risks become more real. The Alzheimer’s Association predicts that the number of Americans over age 65 who’ll be affected by this brain disorder will nearly triple to 13.8 million by 2050.

There is research underway (to read more about what’s happening on this front, visit the Alzheimer’s Association website. And proof continues to mount that consuming a healthy diet, keeping physically active, watching your weight, engaging in brain-stimulating activities such as reading, getting enough sleep, managing stress and staying socially active can help preserve cognition as we age.

I’ve also come across a few studies lately that present some, um, interesting findings about other ways to prevent cognitive decline:

Having sex could help older folks fend off dementia

According to a report in the Daily Mail, researchers from Coventry University discovered that people over 50 who are still active between the sheets have sharper cognitive function than their sex-deprived peers. The tests on more than 6,800 people between the ages of 50 and 89 revealed those who were still getting it on scored better on word recall and pattern recognition. The study suggests the results could be due to the release during sex of hormones such as dopamine and oxytocin, which are linked to feelings of reward, promoting memory and learning. Opens up a whole new world of potential come-on lines about unforgettable sex, doesn’t it?

Maple syrup may protect brain cells against neural damage

During the most recent American Chemical Society annual meeting, researchers shared results of studies examining the beneficial effects of pure maple syrup on brain health. The findings suggested that maple syrup extract helped prevent the clumping and tangling in brain cells of tau and beta amyloid, two proteins involved in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. So far, the studies have only been done in mice. Methinks I’ll conduct my own human study and continue to include maple syrup in my diet. Sweet!

Being too thin at midlife may boost dementia risk

A new study suggests that people who are underweight (defined as having a body mass index—BMI—of less than 20) in their 40s, 50s and 60s were 34% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia up to 15 years later, compared to similarly aged women and men who were a healthy weight. What’s more, people who were heaviest at midlife—with a BMI for 40 or higher—had a 29% lower risk of developing dementia than people whose weight fell into a healthy range. The study co-author is quoted as saying that the findings were unexpected, and the research team hasn’t yet been able to find an explanation for the results. So stop obsessing about getting into those size 0 skinny jeans—our “menopots” could be good for our brain health!

Technology may protect our cognitive abilities

It may seem counterintuitive, but spending time on our smart phones and computers might actually be protecting our cognitive abilities instead of dulling them. A recent study suggests that staying connected with technology as we age forces us to use our minds in different ways, and older people are getting progressively smarter as technology evolves. According to one study author, test scores of people aged 50-plus today correspond to test scores from people four to eight years younger and tested six years earlier—and increasing use of modern technology contributes to this. One caveat: Simply sitting on your arse at a computer all day doesn’t cut it—physical activity and healthy eating should be part of the mix. Reading books is good for brain health, too.

Your job may prevent Alzheimer’s disease

Just as many of us boomers are retiring, along comes a study showing that intellectually stimulating jobs—especially those involving interactions with people—may guard the brain from the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease. Doctor, dentist, lawyer and speech pathologist were among the occupations associated with the strongest protection. Why not, say, a software engineer? The lead researcher attributed this to the complexity of human interaction in real time that the former occupations require vs. the latter. Notably, mentoring is considered to be the most occupationally complex skill, followed by negotiating and instructing. And if you’re not in one of the “protective” professions or you’ve retired? Use those complex skills in your daily life, the researcher suggests. Like negotiating with a spouse and/or tantrum-throwing grandchild, perhaps?

Moderate drinking can reduce Alzheimer’s risk

According to data compiled from 143 studies, moderate drinkers—defined as no more than one drink a day for women and one to two drinks for men—were 23% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or serious memory problems than nondrinkers. A drink is defined as 5 ounces of wine, a 12-ounce beer or 1.5 ounces of vodka or other spirits. Conversely, people who drank too much booze (more than three to five drinks per day) had more memory issues and a higher risk for dementia than moderate drinkers. Now this is research I can get behind, inspiring this haiku:

Moderate drinking
is good for my cognition—
that I’ll remember!

So what do you think? Are you relieved that sex, maple syrup, wine and Facebook apparently are good for our brains? Do you plan to adopt—or increase—any of these brain health-enhancing practices? Want some pancakes?

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How can it be October and I can’t remember where September went? That’s got to change.

This first weekend in October seemed like the perfect time to lay down some new habits – ones that would put me in charge of my schedule vs. the other way around.

Once September hit and I left my summer island, my days became jammed with commitments I’d been unwilling to make for the past 3 months.

I’m trying to fit too much into a day and I know it.

Each night, I crawl into bed, half asleep, and try to read – but… I’m out cold before I’ve even turned the page.

This first weekend in October begins the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. It’s a perfect time to reset. The irony is, when fall comes, everyone gets busy. For Jews it’s especially busy as 2 of the most sacred holidays come 10 days apart right at the outset of autumn. These holidays force us to slow down just when we are ramping up. Maybe that’s an intentional reminder to put on the breaks before we become runaway trains. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Most of my friends who go to temple usually collapse into their seats exhausted from the organizing, cooking and cleaning from prepping for their families.

Many of us are juggling our busy lives, making sure to see our kids, be attentive to our friends and give our aging parents the support they need.

I know I’m not the only one racing through my days. My book club was desperately searching for a date for our next meeting in late October and we were all struggling to find a clear spot on our calendars.

A communal exhale was palpable as our discussion got underway once we’d stopped checking our calendars and figuring out our what’s next. As soon as we started focusing, on our book, there was a calm that enveloped us. We were enjoying the connectivity that talking about a common subject with friends brought to us all.

So, when I took notice that the entire month of September just slipped away — I decided to try to change that with a very conscious strategy and I’m anticipating great success with it. The strategy relates to intentionally recreating that feeling from book club when the background noise begins to clear and the mind settles on what is right in front of it.

This October I’m setting an intention for the next 2 months to schedule in a daily practice to help me become way more present.

I’ve started to see the benefits already in just 48 hours. Here’s what’s working:

1. Head clearing. Each morning before I get out of bed, I’m recommitting to my headspace meditation app   (10 min). I put in my earplugs and just sit. I love it!

2. I’m keeping a journal of not only what I’m doing but a few sentences of how I felt doing it. I will probably never reread it but the act of writing it down inscribes it in the book of my life (again something I will never read).
3. No skipping exercise. One-hour minimum of exercise to keep my serotonin at the “happy” level seems like a modest investment in joy. This makes my doggy happy too when she gets to join in.

4. Practicing my listening skills is long overdue. I’m going to try to tame my mind from wandering off and getting distracted, when someone is talking to me. When I find that I’m not listening, I’m going to try to take notice of where my mind is heading and bring it back. This will take some work!

5. Thinking positively. When I start to become negative about something or someone in my life I’m going to try to stop and reset my thinking. This works most of the time unless someone has gotten under my skin and I can’t shake it off. Hey I’m not a saint!
6. Marital tech break. I’m going to put all my technology away for the first 5 minutes when my husband comes home – and then see how long I can continue. My husband doubts I can do this but I know if I do, it’s going to be a win win move.

Every day starting fresh and focused I should be able to look back from December to the 2 months prior and know that I wasn’t just mindlessly moving through my days. Even if I can’t recall exactly what happened — it should feel great to know I was present each and every day. This is the recipe that meditators, yogis and behaviorists suggest in one form or another — it’s been tested so I’m game to give it a go.

How about you?

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1.

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Did you know that one in every 6 women past the age of 65 will develop Alzheimer’s Disease and only 1 in every 11 men will develop the disease?

It is curious why more women than men develop Alzheimer’s.

Women in their 60’s are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s than breast cancer.

So you can imagine my excitement when I read that Dr. Roberta Brinton, a University of Arizona researcher (my alma mater), is going to study the connection between perimenopause, menopause & Alzheimer’s Disease. She is Neuroscientist and Director of the Center for Innovation in Brain Science.  She was awarded a $10.3 Million grant from the National Institute of Health.

According to the Daily Wilcat, the research will take place over a five year period.  Her grant will support a project titled “Perimenopause in Brain Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease.”

I never understood why Alzheimer’s disease causes memory loss.  I found this very interesting info:

Apparently, the brain depends on glucose for energy. Despite representing only two percent of body weight, the brain takes up 20 percent of the glucose in the body. When glucose levels in the brain run low, the body can transfer lipids from the liver to the brain. But when all supplies are exhausted, the brain begins to turn on itself, turning its own cells into food.

This is why Alzheimer’s disease manifests as memory loss—the consumption of brain cells destroys the connections the brain uses to transfer messages.

One theory for the cause of Alzheimer’s disease is the presence of the cholesterol-transferring gene apolipoprotein E4. Other kinds of APOE exist, including two and three. Neither of these genes carry a risk factor.

“People with two copies of APOE4 have a very high risk of developing Alzheimer’s,” Brinton said.

APOE4 is a poor cholesterol transporter, and a build up of cholesterol can lead to problems within the brain such as Alzheimer’s. But although APOE4 is a risk factor, a 2005 comparative study in the Annals of Neurology showed it is not a guarantee of the disease.

Puberty, pregnancy, and menopause are also all risk factors. While we all go through puberty, only women experience the latter two. Most people come out of puberty in good health, but 10 percent risk nervous system disorders such as schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, and depression. Similarly, 10 percent of women who have given birth develop post-postpartum depression and multiple sclerosis.

“These transition states are states of vulnerability,” Brinton said.

Since women go through more of these transition states, it would stand to reason more women would suffer from Alzheimer’s.

Another factor is perimenopause, and this is the focus of the grant award. Perimenopause is a stage close to menopause wherein menstrual cycles happen unpredictably, leading to irregular estrogen production. The problem with this is, according to Brinton, is that “estrogen promotes glucose uptake into the brain, metabolism of glucose in the brain, and generation of energy in the brain.”

Because of this, a drop in estrogen inhibits glucose production for women’s brains more so than for men. Despite women producing more estrogen than men, on average men in their 70s have more estrogen than women at the same age. (This was news to me!)

The evidence for the connection between perimenopause and Alzheimer’s, as Brinton puts it, is that the disease spends “20 years in the making.” Alzheimer’s begins to take effect 20 years before diagnosis, which typically occurs around age 70.

For women, this would make the onset of the disease appear around age 50, and coincide with the average age of menopause. It is this suspicious correlation that Brinton will be using the research grant to study.

In order to further explore her theory on estrogen and glucose in women with Alzheimer’s, Brinton plans to genotype people with the APOE4 gene as well as mice with the same gene. Afterward, she will observe how well the mice brains use glucose. With this information, she hopes to uncover how to prevent the mice brains from eating themselves.

“We want to know what we can give these mice that are now going through this aging process that prevents them from using this white matter [and developing Alzheimer’s],” Brinton said.

I shall anxiously await the results of this study.  Information is power.

My Motto is:  Suffering in silence is OUT!  Reaching out is IN!

Download my free eBook, MENOPAUSE MONDAYS The Girlfriends Guide to Surviving and Thriving during Perimenopause and Menopause.

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Hardly a day goes by that we aren’t confronted by the fact that we’re getting older. From the barrage of ads for anti-aging products, to the weird snap, crackle and pop noises our bodies start making, to that older-looking person staring back at us in the mirror—the passage of time is impossible to ignore.

And then there’s the onslaught of scientific studies related to aging—particularly how to prevent, circumvent or postpone it. In case you missed ‘em, here’s a roundup of a few of these studies I’ve come across lately:

Bite me

The Wall Street Journal reports that the strength of a man’s bite at age 70 may be a marker of his longevity, according to a study in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation (catchy name, huh?). The study found that the risk of dying before reaching their mid-80s was higher in men with a weaker bite than those with a stronger one, suggesting that low bite force may be a sign of musculoskeletal decline, or poor nutrition that affects oral health and vulnerability to chronic disease. The study found no such connection between jaw strength and long-term survival in women. So ladies, if your partner takes offense at being told “Bite me,” just tell him you’re trying to gauge how long he’s going to be around.

Reading books linked with longer life

Now here’s research I can sink my teeth into. A study published in July 2016 in Social Science & Health shows that reading books has a significant relationship to increased lifespan. Over a 12-year period, researchers at Yale University looked at data on 3,635 Americans over age 50 and found that those who read books were 20% less likely to die than non-book readers. Further, they calculated that book reading was associated with almost 2 extra years of survival. Reading magazines or newspapers didn’t have the same effect. So boning up on celebrity gossip from reading the tabloids while in line at the grocery store doesn’t add years to my life?

Signs of aging start in mid-20s

If it makes you feel any better about seeing those seemingly flawless, size zero young models in women’s magazines, know that they’re already rotting from the inside out. Okay, I may have overstated that a bit, but a 2015 study found that different rates of aging (which the scientists eloquently referred to as “deterioration”) can be detected as early as the mid-20s, using 18 biological measurements. The upshot? Study authors say their findings set the stage for future testing so people can find out how fast they’re aging in their 20s, when they can take steps to prevent age-related diseases. Yeah, right—don’t they know most 20-somethings think they’re invincible?

Women live longer when surrounded by nature

Researchers used data from the famed Nurses’ Health Study and satellite imagery to compare women’s risk of mortality with the level of vegetation surrounding their homes. They found that women who live in the greenest surroundings had a 12% overall lower mortality rate than those living in the least green areas, along with a 34% lower rate of respiratory-related deaths, 13% lower rate of cancer deaths, and lower levels of depression. Go hug a tree, ladies!

Something’s fishy—in a good way

And then there’s fish oil. A recent clinical study reported that omega-3 supplementation slows the shortening of DNA sequences called telomeres—a biological process related to aging. The study’s lead author is quoted as saying, “The telomere finding is provocative in that it suggests the possibility that a nutritional supplement might actually make a difference in aging.” Other experts say eating dark-fleshed fish high in omega-3s at least twice a week will deliver the same benefit. So go (eat) fish!

Exercise is the #1 factor in extending longevity—even after age 75

Sorry, couch potatoes. The latest study to affirm that physical activity can extend your life found that people older than 75 who were physically active lived an extra two or more years. And when you factor in being socially active as well, the Swedish study reported that participants lived an average 5.4 years longer than their less-active peers. Plus, even at age 85 or older, a physically and socially active lifestyle was associated with an extra 4 years of life. And the greatest benefits, experts say, come from just getting started. In other words, it’s never too late to get off your ass.

FDA approves study to reactivate dead brains

If all else fails, maybe we can simply come back from the dead. According to an item in the NY Daily News, a biotech company based in Philadelphia received approval to try reawakening nervous systems in patients who’ve been declared brain dead and are on life support. Says one scientist, “This represents another step towards the eventual reversal of death in our lifetime.”

Investigators will use multiple approaches to try jumpstarting the brains, including stem cell injections directly into the brain, lasers and nerve stimulation techniques. The trial, which will take place in India, is recruiting 20 test subjects. This could put an entirely new spin on the whole zombie thing, don’t you think?

For now, however, the truth is this: None of us is getting out of here alive. So let’s live as fully and vitally as we can, for as long as we can. We’re pretty freakin’ lucky to be here, ya know?

I don’t dread birthdays;

I’m privileged to have them

as fewer are left.

Your thoughts? Please share…

©2017 Boomer Haiku

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Great article By Drake Baer about the brain/heart connection. This piece is eye-opening for those looking for therapies to deal with anxiety.

“Every time the heart projects blood, it pings pressure-sensitive receptors that send signals to the head. “The brain essentially flashes each time the heart beats,” she says, “and the degree of signal in the brain corresponds to how fast and how hard the heart is beating, so the brain is in dynamic, constant communication with the heart,” especially the amygdala and thalamus, regions associated with fear and pain perception, among other roles. Yes, she tells Science of Us, your brain is your brain, but it also represents the activity of our organs, and whether you realize it or not, these sensations guide the way you navigate the world. Recognizing this marks a shift in how neuroscience could be approached, she says: Rather than separating the brain and the body, the brain is seen as embedded within the body. Doing so could offer new treatments for things like anxiety, where drugs could target bodily processes as well as those in the brain, or behavioral techniques like meditation that make people more bodily aware.

“I think the general public kind of knows it instinctively, they know if they exercise they feel better, they know their mood changes, their cognition and memory increases; people who meditate also see changes in their cognition and emotion,” she told Science of Us at this year’s meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. “It’s a responsibility of the scientific community to better understand these mechanisms and promote them as scientific — I feel instinctively that there’s a split where people think there are ‘scientific treatments’ like drugs, and there’s these ‘alternative treatments,’ and why do we need the distinction? If we can look at body-brain mechanisms, they can be scientific treatments as well — we just don’t yet know the mechanisms.”

Click here to read more…

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Everyone has bad days, but how you handle a bad mental health day can be the difference between one bad day and an entire bad week. As tempting as it may be to stay in bed, eat ice cream, and binge on Netflix, it’s not the best way to feel rejuvenated and get back on your feet.

When you’re feeling upset and overwhelmed, it’s important to take time to practice self care. Start easy: Focus on getting out of bed, getting dressed, and attempting to feel mostly human. Once you’re there, try one of these uplifting activities that can calm your mind, feed your spirit, and boost your mental health.

Relax in a Home Spa

You don’t need to have a whirlpool tub to enjoy a spa experience at home. To create a relaxing spa-like setting at home, carve out a time where you’re guaranteed uninterrupted privacy and gather some basic materials: speakers for music, candles, and some scented bubble bath or essential oils. When paired with a soak in a hot bath, soothing music, dim lighting, and relaxing aromas like lavender or cedar wood can come together to create an experience that transports you far away from the worries of the day.

When you’ve finished your soak, spend some time pampering yourself. That may mean giving yourself a home facial, creating a beautiful face of makeup, or curling up in a blanket with a good book. Whatever pampering looks like to you, it’s important to take time to relish the relaxation and not rush back into chores or work. Just be sure to do your pampering in a quiet, uncluttered room so you don’t get stressed out thinking about your home’s cleaning and organizational needs (you’ll address those another day!).

Get Some Exercise

Hitting the gym is probably the last thing you feel like doing when your mood is in the pits, but exercise releases mood-boosting endorphins that can have a huge impact on your mental health. The key to exercising on a bad mental health day is to do an activity that doesn’t feel like work.

Getting outside is a great way to exercise without feeling like you’re laboring away. Besides the benefit of getting your blood pumping, the sunshine itself may contribute to improving your mental health. Going on a walk in your local nature park, taking a leisurely bike ride, or even pulling weeds in the garden can function as meditative exercise to clear your mind while boosting your mood and energy.

If committing to any one activity sounds overwhelming, start by taking a short walk around the block and then see if you feel like doing more. If not, that’s OK too.

Plan for the Future

Bad mental health days can leave you feeling so overwhelmed with the stresses of the present that it’s nearly impossible to see the light at the end of the tunnel. When you’re having a rough day, spend time planning fun activities to look forward to. Focus on the things that you want to do, rather than all the things you have to do that are stressing you out.

Look at the calendars of your favorite music and arts venues to find shows you want to attend, plan a weekend road trip to a town you’ve never visited, or find the cheapest international flight destination and plan a hypothetical itinerary. Even if you don’t follow through on your ideas, simply dreaming them up can remind you that life isn’t all dreary, and give you something to look forward to as you slog through challenging days.

One of the most important things you can do on a bad mental health day is to not expect too much of yourself. Make a concerted effort to forget about all the things on your plate, and let feeling better be your ultimate goal for the day. And if you can’t achieve that either, don’t beat yourself up over it. Sometimes a day that starts out badly ends badly, too, and the best we can do is to try again tomorrow.

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For as long as golf has been played, the game has meant different things to different golfers. While a professional might brood about a round requiring 75 shots, an everyday hacker might take great delight in shooting an 18-hole score of 95.

Why the difference? It’s all about the mental approach. Golf is, superficially, a physical sport – there’s as much as seven miles of walking involved in playing 18 holes, plus the highly tuned action of swinging a club with a sound technique – yet the long-held viewpoint on the game is it is only 10 percent physical and 90 percent mental. The best professional golfers in the world are all capable of executing the wide array of shots necessary to compete at the highest level; what separates them lies in the six inches between their ears.

‘At One’ With Nature

Mentally, golf is beneficial in several key areas: for social interaction, for exercise, to aid concentration, and to spend time in nature. That intangible last point cannot be undersold. A University of Washington study on how outdoor activities surrounded by nature affect the mind found, among other things, that “the experience of nature helps to restore the mind from the mental fatigue of work or studies, contributing to improved work performance and satisfaction.”

Other findings included how green spaces provide necessary opportunities for physical activity, as exercise improves cognitive function, learning, and memory. Also, this salient point: “Outdoor activities can help alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer’s, dementia, stress, and depression, and improve cognitive function in those recently diagnosed with breast cancer.”¹

Developing a Healthy Addiction

Golf helps mentally in other ways, too. Rocker Alice Cooper turned to golf to overcome his various addictions and, in turn, found another, far healthier one. Playing as many as 36 holes a day created a welcome distraction for the “Godfather of Shock Rock,” whose game became so good, at one point he was only a breath behind playing at a pro level. “Some people turn to God, I turned to golf,” Cooper famously quips.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental ailment commonly associated with returned armed forces personnel. Seeing the benefits of introducing sufferers to the golf course, the Professional Golfers Association of America has partnered with doctors and therapists in recent years to use the sport as a remedy. And the upsides are emphatic.

“Since implementing the game of golf into our programs, I’ve observed that some of the participants still desire to continue playing the game and developing their skill,” says recreation therapist Penny Miller. “Golf is used as a therapeutic treatment modality, to help patients restore, remediate, and rehabilitate to improve functioning and independence in life activities, as well as to help the patients integrate back into society.”

“We see patients presenting symptoms of their medical conditions to include: insomnia, lack of concentration, anxiety, and inability to form social relationships. The golf clinics that have been implemented over the past two years have involved about 30 patients. Golf is used as a vehicle to support patients psychosocially.”

“One of my concerns is that people say that this is just golf,” adds neuropsychologist Dr. Michael Hall. “It is not just golf, it is more than golf. Golf is a venue again to create a positive environment, positive experiences. Sometimes that is the only time I see that emotion. Granted, I am focused on problem areas, but it’s a big deal. It’s not something that shouldn’t be dismissed because it’s golf.”²

In much the same vein, “Jim” is a golfer who goes by the poignant online name of “The Grateful Golfer” after launching a blog that played a role in assisting him to overcome cancer. He did so by focusing on improving his mental strength and “the positive aspects of golf, interacting with like-minded golfing fanatics, and to have a constructive exchange about all things golf.”

“Golf has helped me focus on the four pillars of wellness: healthy eating, moderate exercise, stress relief, and good quality sleep,” he writes.³

Let’s Get Physical

The physical elements of playing 18 holes should not be glossed over. Golf works your gluteus maximus (butt), the pectoralis major (chest), latissimus dorsi (back), forearms, and core muscles. Plus, golf is one of the least injury-prone sports people play.

A study conducted by Neil Wolkodoff, the director of the Rose Center for Health and Sports Sciences in Colorado, ascertained that walking for a full round while carrying a golf bag burns 1,442 calories. Conversely, riding in a cart nearly halves that figure (822). Walking with a pull buggy burns 1,436 calories and walking with a caddie carrying the bag still eats away 1,226.⁴

The same study added that burning 2,500 calories per week – so, less than two full rounds of golf played while walking – can greatly reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Yet perhaps the best news came from a Swedish study conducted by the Karolinska Institutet, which found golfers enjoyed a 40 percent lower death rate when accounting for other factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status. The Swedes determined the golf factor alone contributed to an extra five years of life expectancy.⁵

The light-hearted and time-honored maxim tells us that golf is like sex in that you don’t have to be particularly good at either activity to enjoy it. However, it’s beneficial to know that a round of golf is as beneficial for your head and soul as it is for your body.

Sources:

1. https://prezi.com/l2u5ys6v0dg2/the-physical-and-mental-benefits-of-golf/
2. https://www.pga.org/articles/next-basic-training-–-how-golf-serving-our-veterans
3. https://thegratefulgolfer.com/2013/04/09/mental-wellness-and-golf/
4. http://thewalkinggolfer.com/benefits_of_walking/physical.html
5. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080530095413.htm

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What are your memory jog techniques that help you keep track of stuff, remember names, and whatever else you’re forgetting? I think we could all use a little help from our friends as we move deeper into our 50’s.

This past 48 hours I seemed to be chasing down my stuff…more than normal.  I was misplacing a record number of items: golf shoes, wallet, and a few forgotten strokes on a couple of golf holes.

All of these forgettables could be explained away. I can usually come up with plenty of excuses to soften the reality that my brain may be a tad less sharp these days.  You know…I was on the move….jockeying from car to ferry, sleeping at a friends house, and had to pack up a quick change of clothes for a dinner after a day of sweating on the golf course. I was moving fast and always with a group. Too many distractions meant I was constantly rechecking to find my phone– did I leave it in the golf cart, on the table, in my purse, in my friend’s pocketbook?

This particular visit was packed with commotion and movement which made it hard to keep it all together. It seemed like I was forgetting stuff everywhere which got me thinking about memory…my memory.

“So, do you have everything?” my friend Deb earnestly and sensitively asked me at every transition; ferry to ferry, car to car, house to car, restaurant to house.

It was her car, so she was using it as her moving locker room…I was in the passenger guest seat…clearly a disadvantage organizationally speaking.

“Of course, I’ve got it all…no problem.” Frankly, I had no clue.

It’s not that I do too much, but it’s true I do a lot. It’s not that I’m not in the moment – it’s that I’m too much in the moment.

I can no longer multi task.

At my ripe age – I love to immerse in projects, people and games…I find great relief in having a narrow focus. The problem lately is I actually am no longer good at doing 2 or 3 things at once.

My mother-in-law who once was a great scholar in the art field authoring numerous books and curating block buster art shows — now has serious memory issues. On the spectrum of forgetting, she is on one extreme. I love spending time with her and looking through her art books with her and observing if there is a glimmer of remembering. The mind is so fascinating – our greatest asset catapulting us to places I never thought possible, and inversely when it fails us, it can bring us to despair.

Most of my friends in their late 50’s and early 60’s are starting to apologize for their slow recall of names, book titles, and their keys. We are well aware that in the extreme the grim reaper of our memories is hovering and it will come.

After declaring a bogey on the 16^th hole, my sweet friend patiently helped me recount my golf strokes reminding me I forgot to add in one of the strokes. I felt my body tense as I tried to visualize which one I had forgotten. She was right – Double boogey was the real number – but it was annoying to not have remembered that missed stroke.

It’s so easy to be impatient about forgetting my wallet, miscounting my strokes on a hole or even forgetting where I parked my car on my return almost leaving it in a different city.

I know, there’s strategies for keeping track of stuff so I googled around a bit and asked a few peeps for ideas and here were some suggestions.

1. Check your family genetics and perhaps you will discover memory issues in your past.

23 and Me: The DNA test that can give you insights into what came before and what comes after.

2. Puzzles: The Total Brain Workout…450 Puzzles To SharpenYour Mind

3. The New York Times Sunday Cross Puzzle. 500 Puzzles that are super-sized….no squinting!

4. Tumeric seems to be the new wonder supplement. Not only is is supposed to help with memory, it is also good for joint inflammation. New Chapter is a great company so perhaps this could be a great resource. Love to know if anyone of our readers has tried it.

5. Brain Boost Natural Supplements. Supplements make me a bit nervous as I’m not a vitamin or pill taker but… let us know if you take any supplements. This one got 4 out of 5 stars.

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A “Brain Blip” is a temporary inability to remember information. Most people, including memory champions, experience Brain Blips several times per week, and sometimes multiple times per day. Common Brain Blips include forgetting names, misplacing frequently-used objects, forgetting why you walked into a room, and word-finding difficulties. If Brain Blips get progressively worse and interfere with daily life, evaluation by a healthcare provider is recommended.

However, rest assured that for most of us, Brain Blips are temporary roadblocks that can be surpassed with simple tools based on the science of brain functioning.

The 3-P’s: Pause, Piggyback, Practice

The 3-P’s are science-based strategies that counteract multiple Brain Blips. The 3-P’s include:

1. Pause to ensure you are paying attention to the information you want to remember,
2. Piggyback (link) new information to information that is already stored in your brain. This speeds up the process of creating a new memory.
3. Practice (repeat) the newly-learned information. This strengthens your neuronal connections and improves your memory of the information.

Forgetting Names

There are few things more frustrating than forgetting the name of an acquaintance, or a person you just met. This often occurs when you do not create a strong, memorable link to remember the name when you first learn it. Top Tips

1. Pause to pay attention to the person’s name. Then repeat it out loud after you are introduced (e.g. “Nice to meet you Joe”). By saying the new name out loud, you allow the person to correct it if necessary (believe it or not, this step is a common stumbling block!)
2. Piggyback/link the person’s name to another person you already know with that name, or to a famous person with that name. You are more likely to remember the new name if you link it to a name that is already well stored in your brain. For example, you might picture the face of your cousin “Joe” as you look at the new “Joe” you just met.
3. Practice/repeat the new name and link you created. Throughout your conversation with Joe, repeat his name to yourself several times while picturing the face of your cousin Joe.

Misplacing Objects

You are most likely to misplace commonly-used objects such as keys, glasses, and purses/wallets. This occurs because you use the objects in multiple settings, often while engaged in other activities that may distract you from remembering where you put them. Top Tips

1. Pause to place the item in its “home space.” A “home space” is a place where you consistently put common objects. This might include a hook by the door for keys, a table or shelf for your purse/wallet, or a pocket for your glasses. Make sure your “home space” is convenient, so that you are likely to use it.
2. Piggyback/visually link the object to its surrounding area. If you are in a location where there is no “home space,” or choose not to use the “home space,” study the visual scene around where you placed the object. What room is it in, and what surface is it on? (e.g. “My keys are in the living room on the table by the door”).
3. Practice/repeat the location to yourself – while you picture it – at least 3 times.

Forgetting Why You Walked Into a Room

Walking into a room occurs so frequently that the odds are high you will sometimes forget why you did so (as compared to actions you do less frequently). Top Tips

1. Take a 10-second “Pause Point” to verbalize your “Mission” out loud before walking into the other room. Your “Mission” is what you intend to look for/do, where, and why (e.g. “I’m getting my laptop from the bedroom so I can write an email to Mary”).
2. On the way to the other room, Piggyback/link your “Mission” to the action you intend to take with it (e.g. imagine yourself writing an email to Mary).
3. Practice/repeat your “Mission” several times on the way to the other room.
4. If other thoughts come to mind, take note of them, but quickly return your thoughts to your “Mission.” When you are en route to take action, it is common to think about other things related to that action (e.g. thinking about writing an email may lead you to wonder, “Did I respond to that email last week from Mike?”). If that happens, simply repeat your Mission, and write down the new information after your Mission is complete.

Word-Finding Difficulties

Word-finding difficulties occur when you cannot think of the word you want to say. The strategies to triumph over this tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon are different than The 3-P’s. Top Tips

1. Keep Talking! Think of alternative words to describe what you want to say. Don’t worry if you are not as succinct as you intended. By continuing to talk, you may activate the neuronal pathways in the same geographic neighborhood of the brain where your target word is hiding, which may bring it to mind more quickly than if you paused.
2. Substitute a Synonym. Let’s say you want to say the word “sublime,” but you cannot think of it in the moment. Try substituting a word that is close to it (“superb”), or a more generic word that still gets the point across (“terrific,” “amazing,” “wonderful”).
3. Percolate and link. Your brain will often automatically search for and find the intended word (often when you least expect it!). If you cannot think of the word after several minutes, look it up. Then link it to similar words or pictures to strengthen your memory of it. For example, you might imagine a picture of submarine next to a lime to recall the word “sublime.” Use the target word often in the following days to strengthen your ability to remember it.

Next Steps!

You can triumph over future Brain Blips more quickly and easily by boosting your brain health with scientifically-proven tips. To obtain personalized strategies, take my Brain Health Quiz.

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

• Chinese proverb

Dr. Michelle Braun is a Yale- and Harvard- trained board-certified neuropsychologist who is passionate about empowering individuals to boost brain health, reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, and triumph over Brain Blips. You can learn more about her work here.

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“…When Margo Thorning was a high school student in the late 1950s, she liked to play bongo drums while listening to jazz records, but it never occurred to her to take a drum lesson. She attended college, raised two sons, and worked as a senior economic policy adviser for a Washington think tank. All the while, the urge to beat out a rhythm persisted. So three years ago, at age 70, she started taking lessons,” says Tara Bahrampour from the Washington Post, in a recent article

In case you missed it, this Washington Post article confirms that more older adults than ever are learning a new musical instrument, and they are experiencing success and pleasure from doing so (and improving their brain function at the same time!)  This article is a must read if you are thinking of taking up a musical instrument at midlife…and it is very encouraging– it  appears that life experience (which is not in short supply) comes in handy.

So read more here, and call that music teacher!

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When you have a loved one you suspect is struggling with an addiction, it can be difficult to know when and how to voice your concerns. Most people struggling with addiction do their best to conceal it, so it is not always easy to know the full extent of their problem.

Some subtle signs there may be an issue include missing school or work, a suddenly more distant demeanor, or having difficulties with interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, if you notice your loved one is keeping odd hours or exhibiting abnormal mood swings, these are still more indicators they may be headed toward, or even fully immersed, in an addiction. You may have even noticed concerning paraphernalia, such as empty bottles, glass pipes, or needles lingering in your loved one’s home space, or they may have gotten into legal trouble. This of course, is a much clearer indication help is in need.

Though it may seem daunting, it is important to always voice your concerns when you notice any signs your loved one is struggling. According to the National Institute of Health, over 22 million people in this country are in need of drug and alcohol addiction treatment, and sadly, less than 10 percent of those folks are getting the help they need. I know it can be scary subject to tackle—we are often fearful our loved ones will push us even further away—but there are some very real tactics that can assist you in guiding the conversation to a positive place.

The first step is to schedule a low distraction time and place to meet with your loved one. Next, consider these tips to ensure your conversation goes more smoothly:

1. Set a Goal. When planning how to approach your loved one about their addiction, a smart first step is to check in with yourself and set a firm goal for the chat. Your primary aim should be to encourage them to get help. To that end, it’s important to avoid too much finger-pointing and rehashing of the past; you don’t want your message to get lost. You may even write down your goal to help you stay focused on the priority at hand. After all, it is easy to get wrapped up in the emotional details of the past.
2. Skip the Blame and Set Your Boundaries. Your loved one will not be able to hear your concern if you bring up all of the things they are doing wrong; they will only become defensive. It is fine to point out concrete reasons for your concerns, but be careful not to center the conversation on how hurt or angry you Instead, plainly state you are concerned for their health and well-being, and tell them that you want to talk to them about getting some help. It is important to set boundaries and be firm with how much you will tolerate. Without blaming their character, you can tell your loved one that you can’t continue to support them in their habit by providing financial help or keeping secrets for them.

Helpful phrases:

Don’t come to your love one with, “I just can’t take this anymore!  You’re ruining everyone’s lives with your alcohol/ drug use. The whole family is depressed. I can’t sleep! Why are you doing this to us? What is wrong with you?”

Instead, the conversation should look more like: “I can see that you’re struggling. It is hard for me to watch you self-destruct. I’m worried about you, and I want to support you in getting help. Until you agree to get help, I can’t keep financially supporting you. I love you, but I can’t let myself be held hostage by your addiction.”

3. Focus on the Solution and Don’t Become Sidetracked. Remember, your goal in the conversation is to help your loved one become well again. If they begin to make excuses or they begin to blame you or other people for why they have a problem, don’t get dragged into an argument. Continue to acknowledge that you see they are struggling, and reinforce the fact that you want to help them find the right kind of support, so that they don’t have to keep struggling. Make sure they know you are on their side!

Helpful phrases:

If your loved one tries to distract or make excuses, you can say, “I hear that you have a lot of reasons why you’re struggling, but I don’t think it is helpful to justify or deny your drug or alcohol use. I really feel that you need help, and I want you to know I’m here to help you get the support you need.”

4. Know Your Resources. It may take a little time before your loved one is ready to accept help, but when they are, you’ll want to be ready with the necessary information and resources available to them. Try to find a treatment solution that will serve their unique personality. For instance, if your loved one is between the ages of 18 and 25, you may consider a facility like Sober College, which will not only assist them in addiction recovery, but also provide them with a pathway to college education and other artistic and vocational careers, and/or hobbies in the process. Providing them with a solution to their addiction while also opening new doors of opportunity, may help them feel more hopeful and optimistic about this journey, and thus, more inclined to receive help.

While you may feel hesitant to broach the topic of addiction, it is important to not let fear guide your choices. Instead, let love guide the conversation. Showing compassion and understanding for their struggle will help to dismantle much of the guilt and defensiveness your loved one is likely feeling, thus making them much more likely to accept the support you are offering.

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Worried about losing brain cells as you hit 50 and beyond? 

“Specifically, people ages 50 and older experienced boosts to brain health following exercise sessions lasting 45 minutes to an hour at a minimum of moderate intensity.”

Read more here.

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This month, Elle published a startling article by Rachel Combe about giving up drinking and it made us think. Are we drinking too much? Read this and leave your comments, below. We want to hear our BA50 community’s take on this riveting piece.

http://www.elle.com/beauty/health-fitness/a12119562/goodby-to-all-that-quitting-drinking-october-2017/

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“Transformation is not about erasing who you have been. Instead, it is about building upon that masterpiece that is YOU by editing out what is stale and replacing it with what aligns now.” ~Randi Levin Coaching

I did just that. Reinvented my own life at the mid mark…and you can too. It is no accident that I choose to be a transformational coach in my 5^th decade! So, I am abundant with strategies and life steps that empower our post +50 crowd to grab hold of their own legacy and define it. Then redefine it! Here is a sampling of a few meaningful tools and a DIY action step to begin.

• Recalibrate Your Comfort Zone: Everything up until this moment has occurred in your own personal gated community. This community is your comfort zone. Shift your thoughts away from “stepping out of your comfort zone” and into the abyss of the unknown. Instead think about pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone out of that community so that you expand your comfort zone rather than abandon everything you have ever known. Transformation is not about erasing who you have been. Instead, it is about building upon that masterpiece that is YOU by editing out what is stale and replacing it with what aligns now. See the tweak?
• Cut a New Path: The difference from the mid-point on is that you have history. Use that history and make it work for you. What have you always liked to do that you would like to do more of? If it were 10 years ago what would you do? What has a busy life kept you from exploring? Guess what? Now you can explore and that exploration should allow for you to blaze new trails where paths did not exist before. If your legacy is your power tool, then how can you map out today to get you consistently living a life that reflects who you are NOW? A new path bridges the gap between your stories of yesterday, your dreams of tomorrow and your realities of today.
• Clear The Decks on Fear: Here is a great DIY exercise to build self-esteem and to point you in the right direction. Let’s face it…when you don’t step into what’s next in your life, something is holding you back. That thing is fear. Lots of talk about being fearless in life. While that sounds amazing…more than likely that is not going to be a reality. What is a reality is that instead of being fearless embrace fearing “less.” Here is how to empower the moment with a bit less fear and a bit more confidence:

          Take 10-15 minutes to write down all the stories you tell yourself.            You know, that reel that runs through your mind when you are                trying to fall asleep at  night. All the excuses, the limitations, the            reasons behind your procrastination    or overwhelm. Write them            all down. Read them out loud in front of the mirror.  Now re-read            them out loud again.

          How did it sound to say your excuses and limitations out loud?                Do a body scan for a moment. How do you feel? What are you                  noticing? Where is your energy?

          Now, rewrite those same stories “as if” you do in fact have                      what  you need.  Rewrite them from an abundance mindset.

Here is an example: If on your original list you wrote, I am not good enough to be able to open my own business, you will now replace that with I am good  enough and smart enough to open my own business. If you originally wrote, I don’t have the skills to do that…you will replace that with I have the skills or I am developing the skills to do that. 

Essentially, you are creating affirmation statements based off of the negative noise in your head. Here is the power punch: For the next 66 days you are going to create a new habit with your rewritten statements. You are going to clear the deck on your fears and break through the noise that is holding you back from the life you most want. For 66 days you are going to read out loud all of  your rewritten excuses and stories in front of the mirror. These new statements will become your new norm.         

  Why?

            If you say you are, you believe you are.

             If you believe you are, you are.

  It starts with your words, takes flight with your mindset, and elevates your energy so that you do in fact manifest and attract in what you most desire. Try it! Let me know where your energy and your thoughts now go!

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Eat right, exercise, drink red wine, laugh a lot… there are lots of different approaches to staying young.

Briefly Living In The Moment

Some can help us live longer, healthier lives and others are still up for debate. But one approach that’s quickly gaining favor with experts is the act of learning something new.

Train Your Brain to Stay Young

The evidence is mounting: taking on new things throughout your lifetime can help ward off mental decline. Henry Ford said it best, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” Researchers are now linking learning to reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, too. Plus, when the brain is healthy, the rest of the body stays healthier, too (and vice versa).

Ready to try training your brain to see if you can roll back the years? Here are some tips.

Learning Tip #1: Take a College Class (or Two or Three or Four)

Formal education doesn’t have to end after your teens or 20s. According to research, it really shouldn’t, either. There are plenty of course offerings to choose from at community colleges, each designed for working people, older Americans, and other non-traditional age students who want to get ahead or stay sharp.

Even if you can’t make it to a community college, there are lots of online courses to enjoy. Have you heard of MOOC’s? Massive Open Online Courses are often free and sometimes offered by top universities in the nation. Fancy yourself a Harvard student learning about Civil War history, for example. Or would you like to dive deep into a topic like Finance? How about something called, “Engineering: Building with Nature”? They’re all available online for free, in a self-paced format that accommodates your schedule. Check the EdX website for what’s available right now.

If you are looking for something that requires a little less study time, why not try yoga? Yoga is perfect for older adults. It engages the body, mind, and spirit, and it’s also a great way to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Read about why yoga is becoming popular among older adults.

Tip #2: Take Up a Difficult Hobby

As hobbies go, some are known to be relaxing because they’re easy, while others present more of a challenge. Tapping into the Fountain of Youth involves the latter type. Researchers actually found that the more difficult a new hobby is, the greater the improvement in cognitive skills like memory.

One example, the one studied by scientists and which showed a clear advantage over “easier” hobbies like doing puzzles, was digital photography. It involves a computer, and you’ll probably be learning Photoshop, a program for editing digital images. Challenging at any age!

Looking for more suggestions? Read our article about the importance of hobbies. The article is written for people approaching retirement, but the suggestions are applicable to all ages. A hobby you start now could become a passion for the rest of your life.

Tip #3: Write a Book

It’s been said that everyone has a book in them. Whether yours is a novel, a history lesson, or a memoir, the idea is the same: writing challenges the brain in a number of beneficial ways.

The advantage of writing a memoir is that aside from challenging your brain, it also serves as a valuable exercise in self-reflection. That can help seniors relive special moments, tell their story for future generations, or leave a legacy to provide a record of family tradition. Memoir writing can also help writers come to terms with certain aspects of living, such as growth, loss, aging, or any other type of life journey.

You could even combine this with Tip #1 (Take a College Class) and enroll in a memoir-writing class. If your local community college doesn’t have one, check your local library. Many offer these classes as part of their outreach programming.

If memoirs aren’t your cup of tea, how about a history of your town? It’s not quite so personal but does draw upon your unique perspective and knowledge.

And of course there are mysteries, whodunits, historical dramas, romances, and nonfictional how-to’s to consider, as well.

Tip #4: Discover Your Inner Picasso (or Monet)

Like writing or learning digital photography, learning to do something artistic has a high cognitive demand. Whether it’s painting, drawing, quilting, or refinishing furniture, in each case you’re learning something new and you’re challenging your brain on a higher level.

It doesn’t matter how you choose to learn a new art. You could take a class or you could hire a private instructor. You could even learn from a book or watch videos on YouTube. The important part is that you’re truly striving to learn the art (and that you’re also having fun!).

Why Learning New Things Works

What all of these tips have in common is that they challenge the brain. When you learn a new skill, take a college class, or start a difficult hobby, you’re strengthening certain connections in your brain. That does a lot more than just playing brain games.

Brain games may improve a very limited aspect of your short-term memory, according to cognitive psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman. But challenging activities like the ones described above do much more: they strengthen entire neural networks.

So, one last word of advice: don’t put too much stock in those so-called ‘Brain Games’ that cost a lot of money. The research isn’t there to back up their efficacy when it comes to warding off dementia or improving a wide range of brain functions. They are fun, yes, if they are worth it to you for the enjoyment – go for it.

But when it comes to actually improving brain functions, instead take a more holistic approach to challenging your brain: explore and discover what truly excites you while simultaneously challenging your mental abilities. Your genuine interest will help keep you motivated through the challenges you encounter. And that’s where the real magic happens… neural networks are strengthened and before you know it, you’ve tapped into your own inner fountain of youth.

Want to learn more about staying young through mental exercise? Read how Acts Retirement has made mental stimulation programs a priority within their communities. You may not be ready for retirement, but you’re never too young to start improving your mental health.